SPANISH 104 Beginners' Spanish 1 - Course Outlines

Course Prescription

Provides a solid grounding in the basic grammar and vocabulary of Spanish for beginners or near beginners, emphasising communicative competence in the present tense. Develops speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, and prepares students at the A1 Level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Course Overview

This course is for students who have no previous knowledge of the Spanish language, that is, true beginners. It helps them acquire basic linguistic structures and develop conversational competence. The four language skills ―speaking, listening, reading, and writing― and knowledge of the cultures and traditions of Spain and Spanish America are integrated into the three class hours per week. Language learning is reinforced through in-class practice, audio-visual activities, aural and reading comprehensions, homework assignments, and independent work using a richly populated course website. Attendance at all lectures is strongly recommended in order to benefit from interactive activities which help develop communicative skills and ensure steady progress.

There is extensive exposure to Spanish in class so that students become acquainted with its sounds and rhythm and start building the vocabulary and grammar they need to express themselves in this language. Class activities include interaction in pairs, small groups, or with the whole class. Regular, active participation is therefore expected in class, and must be accompanied by a clear commitment to independent learning and preparation. As a Blended Learning course, students are expected to work independently with specifically designed online materials on a weekly basis.

Course Requirements

Restriction: SPANISH 107. May not be taken if a more advanced language acquisition course in this subject has previously been passed

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Participate in communicative exchanges requesting and providing personal information. (Capability 1, 3 and 6)
Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. (Capability 1, 3 and 6)
Narrate orally or in writing habitual activities in Spanish in the present tense. (Capability 1, 3 and 6)
Describe distinctive aspects of the geography, climate, and culture of Spanish-speaking countries. (Capability 1, 3 and 6)
Interact with a sales person at a market and express preferences in Spanish. (Capability 1, 3 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type	Percentage	Classification
Canvas Quizzes	5%	Individual Coursework
Homework Assignments	20%	Individual Coursework
Oral Test	25%	Individual Coursework
Written Tests	50%	Individual Coursework
4 types	100%

Module

Modern Language: Spanish 1

Courses: SPANISH 104, 105, 178, 200, 201, 277, 278

Requirement:

15 points from SPANISH 104, 105, 178

15 points from SPANISH 200, 201, 277, 278

Exam Mode

There is no final exam for this course.

Workload Expectations

In Semester 1, which comprises 12 weeks of classes, students are expected to devote 10 hours per week to this course. Each week, there are 3 face-to-face hours in which students engage in interactive activities with their teacher and with their classmates. The remaining 7 hours per week are for independent study using custom-made materials that are available on Canvas.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

This course is NOT available for students studying remotely, outside Auckland or offshore in 2025.

Attendance is required at scheduled class activities to receive credit for some components of the course.

Attendance on campus is required for tests and exams.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Spanish 104 is adopting a new textbook. Starting Semester 1, 2025, the course will cover Units 0-4 of Aula Internacional Plus 1. This textbook is prescribed as it is absolutely necessary to complete class activities and independent study. You can purchase it at the University Bookshop Ubiq or online.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

The course is regularly updated to incorporate student feedback.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Capability 1:	People and Place
Capability 3:	Knowledge and Practice
Capability 6:	Communication

SPANISH 104/104G : Beginners' Spanish 1

Arts

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)